Sphynx cats

catkins

Anyone got a Sphynx cat or know anything about them? I had never heard of them until a couple of weeks ago but think they look gorgeous. I have been reading up on them and am quite interested in getting one. I am thinking of trying for a rescue.

I do have a couple of concerns though, the main one being that they can only go outside supervised because there is a chance of them getting sunburn in the summer and being too cold in the winter. I have no problem with this except that I already have 2 cats who have a cat flap which is always unlocked so they can have free access outside and in. Any ideas how I could manage this other than keeping the Sphynx locked in a separate room which I am not that keen to do?

Also are they very high maintenance because of their lack of fur and the fact they have to be kept inside the majority of the time? I understand they have to be bathed regularly, either every week or every fortnight. How time consuming is this and how difficult? I would hope that as a kitten they would be bathed to get them used to it as cats do not usually like water.

Thanks in advance for any advice you may be able to give.

lowis

sphynx cats are *very* high maintenance - some friends of mine have a couple of them and they are forever having to clean them, bathe them, make sure they are warm, not getting burnt in sunlight etc. they are also prone to illness and have very delicate tummies - most sphynx cats i know of are all on special diets. if they get out, they are also bound to be stolen. i would not get one if i had a cat flap, they will soon learn from your other cats how to use it, and it would be really unfair to keep it locked up in a room.

if you like the look of sphynx cats you might want to consider an Oriental, Modern Siamese or a Rex - these are much more available through rescue as well and not high maintenance.

pedigree rescues can be found here:
http://www.catchat.org/adoption/pedigree.html

and some gorgeous Siamese needing homes here:
http://www.siameserescue.org.uk/homeswanted.htm

frivolous_fay

We have friends who have three. They don't go out because they're so valuable. They have a lot of character, but they do leave greasy brown smears all over the house...

catkins

Thanks for the replies. I think maybe they are a bit too high maintenance for me. I would not worry about them going out and getting stolen as I have had siamese and orientals in the past which have always gone out and have a black oriental now who goes out. It's pretty safe where I live but I used to live in London and still let my cats out.

I am looking at other cats to rescue at the moment.